Amid the rising Covid-19 cases, the country is moving towards Unlock 2.0. According to sources, the guidelines on this may come next week. After the end of Unlock 1.0, the Ministry of Home Affairs is in the process of finalising its plans for the launch of the second stage of lifting lockdown partially. At this stage, it is believed that the government plans to grant concessions to some countries in the operation of international air services, as well as to create an environment in which workers can return to factories, and the industry runs smoothly
Opening of educational institutions including schools and colleges seems difficult as most of the states have already cancelled their pending examinations. Be it CBSE or ICSE board, papers have been cancelled for the secondary and higher secondary examinations. The decision regarding opening of educational institutions was left to the state governments in the guidelines of Unlock 1.0. This is expected to remain the same in Unlock 2.0 as well. Though, there is little hope of opening Metro train services as the number of coronavirus-positive patients in Delhi is steadily increasing, and it is difficult for the governments of other states too to decide on this as the number of cases is surging rapidly in all major cities. In Delhi alone, the cases have crossed 70,000. The situation in Mumbai has improved a little but not as much.
Some foreign flights might be approved in Unlock 2.0. Though US has objected to India’s Vande-Bharat Mission, still it is approving Indian flights, with the latter still not giving permission to US planes. The UAE also was of the same opinion. The Chief Minister of Kerala had asked the Central government to open international flights to the Gulf countries. However, India could allow scheduled international commercial flights on some routes next month onwards.
While extending the overall suspension of these regular passenger flights to 11.59 pm of 15 July, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said, “International scheduled flights might be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case to case basis,” in an order released on Friday. Countries like the US, France, Germany and UAE have started asking India to allow their airlines to operate flights like AI’s VBM, Air India’s Vande Bharat Mission.
Meanwhile, rail services have been partially started across the country but right now, trains are not running completely. As per the latest circular from the railways, certain railway zones have been asked to refund all the tickets booked on or before April 14. According to reports, all trains will be able to run only after 15 August.
The government may take new steps in Unlock 2.0 to increase employment. The priority of the government will be to promote cottage industries, which will provide employment to the workers and increase the local industries. The government has handed over the responsibility to the district headquarters. The ban on social events is also supposed to continue to curb the virus outbreak.